Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for the Development ...

ElectivesOption A: Sacred ScriptureThe purpose of this course is to give an overview of Sacred Scripture with an introduction to the basic principles for understandingand interpreting the Bible. Because of the extent of the scriptural material, this outline will not try to cover thevast content but rather offer comments about Scripture’s purpose and religious significance. Given the limits of a semesterof study, it will not be possible to introduce all the books of the Bible here. But every effort is made to project a sense of the unity ofthe narrative for the divine plan of salvation, the presence of God’s action in this record of his Revelation, and his desire to share hismerciful love with us. It is suggested that for the detailed curriculum, comments on authorship, date of composition, and formationof text of each book of the Bible be drawn from introductions in the New American Bible or from the Catholic Study Bible forthe New American Bible. This outline cites catechetical references from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), theCompendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Compendium), and the United States Catholic Catechism forAdults (USCCA) for various explanations of Scripture, with the intention of integrating catechesis and Scripture.All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training inrighteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Tm 3:14-17)I. Divine Revelation: God Speaks to UsA. God’s self-Revelation in words, deeds, covenants (CCC,nos. 50-53).l. Stages of Revelation (the history or divine plan ofsalvation) (CCC, nos. 54-55).a. From Adam and Eve to covenant with Noah(CCC, nos. 56-58).b. Succeeding covenants: Abraham, Moses, andSinai (CCC, nos. 59-61).c. Definitive stage of Revelation: in Word madeflesh, Jesus Christ (CCC, nos. 65-67).B. Transmission of Divine Revelation (CCC, no. 74).1. Message of Christ transmitted by ApostolicTradition (CCC, nos. 75-79).a. Passed on by Apostles to bishops and theirsuccessors (CCC, nos. 75-79).b. A living Tradition and a written one inScripture (CCC, nos. 81-83).c. Scripture, Tradition, Magisterium worktogether (Compendium, no. 17; CCC, nos.84-85).C. Sacred Scripture (CCC, nos. 101-133).1. God is author—guarantees its truth about salvation(CCC, nos. 101-108).2. Word of God in words of man—literary forms—schools of biblical criticism or analysis.3. Principles of interpretation (CCC, nos. 112-114).4. Canon of Scripture—forty-six books of OldTestament, twenty-seven of New (CCC, nos.120-130).5. Senses of Scripture: literal; spiritual: allegorical,moral, anagogical (CCC, nos. 115-119).6. Role of Scripture in the life of the Church (CCC,nos. 131-133).7. How to use the Bible.D. Faith is our personal and communal response toRevelation (Compendium, nos. 25-32; CCC, nos.142-143).II. The Pentateuch or Torah—First Five Booksof ScriptureA. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.1. A major theory of the formation of these books isthat they rely on several sources—primarily four:Yahwist, Elohist, Priestly, Deuteronomic (J, E, P,D).2. Any and all parts of Scripture must be read andinterpreted in relation to the whole.B. Book of Genesis.1. Primeval history: 1–11—creation, Adam and Eve,the fall, promise of redemption, and effects of sintold in figurative language (CCC, nos. 337, 362,375; Compendium, nos. 51-78).2. Faith teachings in primeval history (NAB,Introduction).Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework for theDevelopment of Catechetical Materials for Young People of High School Age31